How to Determine Type of Steel 2

[MattP]

I have some steel parts that I am creating drawings for and need to determine what type of steel they are. What is the best way to do this? Preferrable tests would be non-destructive.

Thanks,
Matt

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[metengr]

Send the prototype steel parts to a local Metallurgical/Chem Laboratory that can perform chemical analysis and hardness testing to type the material. Make sure that you discuss with the laboratory staff your specific concerns that the chemical analysis be performed using a nondestructive approach. Any competent metallurgical lab will be able to do this for you at minimal cost.

 

[mali325]

With mobile spectro

 

[CoryPad]

Here are manufacturers of portable equipment:

http://www.spectro.com/pages/e/p0101.htm

http://www.innov-xsys.com/

http://www.niton.com/products.asp

Regards,

Cory

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[MattP]

Thanks for the replies. Here is a little more background info of the parts. They are cast and finished machined steel machine parts that my customer needs replacement parts for because they apparently are not available from the OEM (outdated equipment). I do appreciate the info on chemical analysis and such but I am starting to think that that may be overkill for this application. Maybe a simple hardness test and some analysis of the function of the parts would provide enough info to specify a suitable material. Any thoughts? (Perhaps this should be in the machine design forum.)

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[metengr]

MattP;
Any time an organization is involved with 'reverse engineering’ one has to be very careful to assure that in-kind or replacement material is equivalent to the original item. As a minimum, knowing the chemical composition is critical. I would not down play hardness testing because this information provides guidance on the heat treatment or at least would provide information as to any surface treatment requirements. I would seek metallurgical engineering help with this project.

 

[arunmrao]

MattP,
If you are looking at developing cast steel parts ,you can perhaps begin with chemistry,micro and hardness 3 simple essential information needed for alloy specification followed by drawing details of the parts. How big are the parts and can you name a few of them or their functions. I am quite often involved in such reengineering activity as I produce steel castings

 

[EdStainless]

There are many detials in the alloy composition and heattreatment, even when it is 'just steel'.
You should consider having an old part cut up and evaluated. Tensile porperties and microstructure, along with the chemistry will tell you the whole story.
Sometimes old parts work becuse of how they were made. If you make the part differently you may get different results.

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[arunmrao]

Ed !

Old parts always work well because they were produced from first principles of engineering. Today many have forgotten these and resort to gimmicks often resulting in disasters.

 

[EdStainless]

I have seen a lot of old parts that worked well by chance. The original desinger may not have know that a process would result in a specific set of properties, but they sure knew to take advantage of it.
I agree with you Arunmrao. Reverse engineering is not making a part that looks like the original. It is making a part that works like the original, and this requires understanding of the system.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Rust never sleeps
Neither should your protection

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